Pushback from citizens and political leaders alike has led to controversy over mask-wearing in the state of Alabama. Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, who tested positive for the virus in October, has been resistant to continuing a mask order. He has stated that “masks should be voluntary, not mandatory.”
With Covid-19 cases higher than they’ve ever been, Governor Kay Ivey issued her twentieth supplemental emergency proclamation extending the Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people. This order extends until Friday, January 22, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. Except for the extension, all guidelines remain the same.
“The mask mandate remains the one stop gap in order to keep the balance of our daily lives and maintaining health and safety,” Ivey stated. “We returned to school, to church, and to work under the conditions of simply wearing a mask.”
“These are some of our darkest days since COVID-19 became a part of our daily conversations,” Ivey continued.
Ivey posted to Twitter, saying, “Y’all, none of this has been easy. As I have done previously, I cannot thank the people of Alabama enough for the sacrifices you are making-sacrifices for yourself and for others.”
Y’all, none of this has been easy. As I have done previously, I cannot thank the people of Alabama enough for the sacrifices you are making—sacrifices for yourself and for others. @ALPublicHealth #alpolitics #TogetherAL 1/7 pic.twitter.com/cbmQ4xK96X
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) December 9, 2020
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris also spoke at the press conference and discussed the new Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Harris said that infections are “out of control” in much of the country. He said the number of COVID-19 deaths in Alabama is equivalent to a 747 jet crash every month for the past 10 months. “We really are in a difficult time right now in Alabama,” he stated. “This is a very challenging time, and we’re looking at some pretty dark days for the foreseeable future.”
Harris said the state expects to receive about 41,000 dozes of Pfizer’s vaccine, possibly within the next week. However, only about 15 hospitals have the capability of storing it. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine has a recommended storage temperature conditions of -70°C±10°C for up to 10 days unopened. This requirement means only certain hospitals can be utilized for storage and distribution.
“People have sacrificed so much. It’s been such a difficult year for everybody,” Harris stated. “I would say everybody knows someone who’s been sick from this disease, and most of you know someone who’s died from this disease. We still have some tough weeks ahead of us.”
